Cyclists hit the streets for MS fundraiser

Published: Saturday, September 7, 2013 at 08:07 PM.

The average cyclists donated $600 to be in the event and it is the largest fundraiser for the Greater Carolinas Chapter of MS, Furst said.

At the start of the run, Furst said they raised $1.2 million toward their goal of $1.8 million. Last year the bike run raised $1.76 million that goes toward research and program services “to create a world free of MS,” he said.

Sarah Leonard, one of the 500 volunteers for this year’s event, was helping out at the VIP breakfast being served to riders who raised at least $1,000. For the past three years Leonard rode in the Bike MS ride.

“It’s really great,” she said. “It is fully supported.”

In past years, Leonard said what stood out to her when riding through New Bern and Craven County was how there was never any rudeness from motorists or fellow cyclists during the run.

When the cyclists finally lined up at the starting line, Scott Dacey, chairman of the Craven County Board of Commissioners; and Sabrina Bengel, New Bern alderman and mayoral candidate, welcomed the riders and thanked them for their support.

“This special event will touch many people in North Carolina,” Dacey said.

Walter Hogan was pumping air in the tires of his Trex road bike Saturday morning at Union Point Park as the sun started to rise over the Neuse River and a loudspeaker pumped out the Beatles’ “Good Day Sunshine.”

A few people were already up, stirring around like him or wolfing down bananas and bagels while others were still in their tents on snooze control, saving every ounce of energy for the miles ahead.

Union Point Park is the staging point of this weekend’s Bike MS: Historic New Bern Ride that is celebrating its 25th year.

Hogan, 60, of Missouri, said this was his first time riding in the New Bern Bike MS Ride, but he planned to make it an annual event.

“This is awesome,” Hogan said. “This is a big draw for New Bern and cyclists.”

Hogan, who is originally from Raleigh and has been riding long-distant bicycle runs for about six years, said he planned to ride 75 miles Saturday with his team MS Spoken.

New Bern’s Bike MS was different from other biking events because of the large number of cyclists who participate and the many activities provided, Hogan said. It was so loud and active Friday night in Union Point Park, Hogan said he didn’t get much sleep.

Clive Finney, 48, of Raleigh, formerly of Manchester, England, said Saturday was also his first time participating in the event. He was planning to ride 100 miles on his carbon fiber Tomimaso bike.

“This is really nice,” he said. “Everybody did a great job.”

Finney also didn’t get much sleep in his tent after it partly collapsed overnight and his air mattress deflated. But he laughed it off and said it was part of sleeping outdoors.

On the other side of the park, Brett Hughes, 53, sat in front of his tent eating a banana and a bagel, He was still trying to wake up with coffee and wasn’t sure how many miles he would ride.

“Whatever I end up doing … probably 75 (miles),” he said. “My intentions are great when I start out.”

Hughes wasn’t quite sure how many was on his Duke Energy team, maybe 30. He also wasn’t quite sure of the name of his bike, a Scatttante.

“I can’t even pronounce it,” he said. He was obviously tired, saying he got no sleep Friday night.

“It got cold and I didn’t expect it,” he said. “But I will sleep tonight.”

When asked how he psyched himself up for a bike run of this magnitude, Hughes sheepishly grinned and pointed to the cup holder in his chair.

“Black coffee,” he said.

Jeff Furst, Greater Carolina chapter president for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, said cyclists from beginners to seasoned marathon riders participate in the MS Bike Run, pedaling 30, 50, 75 or 100 miles on each day of the two-day event.

One team from Holly Springs rode their bicycles 130 miles Friday to New Bern to be a part of the run, Furst said.

“Can you believe that?” he said.

The majority of the riders come from the Raleigh and New Bern area, but some come from all over the country, Furst said.

The average cyclists donated $600 to be in the event and it is the largest fundraiser for the Greater Carolinas Chapter of MS, Furst said.

At the start of the run, Furst said they raised $1.2 million toward their goal of $1.8 million. Last year the bike run raised $1.76 million that goes toward research and program services “to create a world free of MS,” he said.

Sarah Leonard, one of the 500 volunteers for this year’s event, was helping out at the VIP breakfast being served to riders who raised at least $1,000. For the past three years Leonard rode in the Bike MS ride.

“It’s really great,” she said. “It is fully supported.”

In past years, Leonard said what stood out to her when riding through New Bern and Craven County was how there was never any rudeness from motorists or fellow cyclists during the run.

When the cyclists finally lined up at the starting line, Scott Dacey, chairman of the Craven County Board of Commissioners; and Sabrina Bengel, New Bern alderman and mayoral candidate, welcomed the riders and thanked them for their support.

“This special event will touch many people in North Carolina,” Dacey said.

“Thank you for fighting for such a good cause,” Bengel added.

The riders, stretching all the way around Union Point Park and some riding in at the last moment, were sent off with loud cheers. It took about a half hour to get them all on the road.

Shannon Hinson, vice president of development for the Grater Carolinas Chapter of the National MS Society and one of the announcers at the start of the race, said 46 of the riders were wearing jerseys that said “I ride with MS.”

“This is all for you,” she said.

Eddie Fitzgerald can be reached at 252-635-5675 or at eddie.fitzgerald@newbernsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @staffwriter3.